NPGA president and CEO to step down in 2019

February 20, 2019 By Brian Richesson

Photo of NPGA President and CEO Rick Roldan by Brian Richesson

NPGA President and CEO Rick Roldan at Propane Days in 2013. Photo by Brian Richesson

After 24 years with the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) and the past 17 as its president and CEO, Rick Roldan will exit NPGA’s top leadership post this year.

The Colorado native talked about his decision briefly during the association’s winter board of directors meeting in Charleston, South Carolina. Roldan says the decision was “jointly made and mutually arrived at.” He will stay on staff until Dec. 31 and help with the transition to his yet-to-be-named successor.

“This is a good time to begin a transition to a new generation of leadership,” Roldan says.

The NPGA has considered the leadership change for the past several months as it looks to tackle new challenges, says Chris Earhart, board chairman of Dixie Gas & Oil.

“Rick has done a lot of wonderful things for this industry, and we owe a lot to him. Our industry and our companies, and as members and people, are better for his support,” Earhart told the board of directors. “For all of the time and the portion of his career that he gave to our industry – thank you.”

Earhart says NPGA leaders are reviewing the organization’s foundation and its strategic plan “to see where we want to be.” The path forward, he says, involves NPGA working closely with the Propane Education & Research Council and the state associations.

“Not that where we’ve been is wrong, but times change and directions change,” Earhart says. “This will be a good time for us to look. We want to build a good foundation.”

Prior to becoming NPGA president and CEO, Roldan served as NPGA’s vice president of government relations. He also formerly headed the defunct Propane Vehicle Council.

Roldan will become the second high-profile NPGA executive to exit the organization in recent months. Phil Squair, NPGA’s former senior vice president of public and governmental affairs, became the vice president of government relations for the National Electrical Manufacturers Association in September 2018.